Principal for a Day
Recognizing a need to foster working relationships between business leaders and educators, the State Chamber created Principal for a day in 1993 to provide CEOs and business leaders an opportunity to spend the day in a Delaware school carrying out the daily responsibilities of a principal. This piqued a new level of understanding about the differences in operating a company versus a school.

In 1993, 23 CEOs who hadn't been in a classroom for a number of years visited schools and had some eye-opening experiences. They discovered many things as "principal for the day" – when there is a problem in the boiler room, you are first on the scene; you take your turn monitoring lunch and at bus duty; and while students, teachers and parents all call on you at once, there is no option to turn anyone away. And this could all take place by 8:30 a.m. while your coffee gets cold!

As a result, business leaders began not only keeping in touch with the school but also forming mentoring partnerships and providing meaningful assistance with other various needs within the school, including recycling company computers for use at the school. Some leaders volunteered to do playground and landscaping projects, or something as simple as helping with shelving and spatial issues. Others exchanged management ideas and discussed what works and what doesn't.

The understanding gained by spending time with the future workforce is invaluable. When business leaders work hand in hand with educators to ensure that today's students are being properly prepared for the business needs of tomorrow - that is truly a partnership that strengthens the state's economic future.

To learn more about Principal for a Day, contact Janine Sorbello at (302) 576-6575, or e-mail her at jsorbello@dscc.com.